Holidays can be a time of joy, fun and excitement, but they can also be full of unexpected changes in routine and overstimulation. This can be particularly difficult for young children, because they thrive on structure and predictability. You are also more likely to be busy preparing for the holidays and hosting guests, which may cause...
No one likes to lose, but it is important for young children to learn how to accept loss without feeling bitter or bad about themselves. Begin by acknowledging your son's feelings and let him know that it is okay to feel disappointed, sad, or angry when he loses. Explain that while it is okay to have these feelings, it is not okay to g...
Whether you decide to tell your daughter the truth about Santa Claus is a personal choice, and will differ for parents depending on their own beliefs and values. It might be helpful to ask yourself why you think you should tell your child the truth about Santa Claus. Are you worried that if you continue to perpetuate your child’s belie...
Teach your daughter the importance of saying “thank you” when she receives a gift, regardless of whether she likes it. Don’t ask her to lie and pretend that she likes the gift, instead keep the focus on teaching her the importance of being polite and thanking others. She will also learn by watching how you interact with others, so make...
The holidays should be a fun, relaxing time where the focus is on spending time together as a family. That said, there is no reason why your child can’t keep practicing school skills over the break -- the secret is to keep it fun! For example, your son can practice his writing skills by helping you address your holiday cards, make shop...
When it’s cold outside, it can be difficult to find ways to chill indoors with your children! The key is to find safe and creative ways to be active inside. Two of my favorite things to do with my own children are building a fort and creating an inside obstacle course using pillows, blankets, and toys. Another fun idea is to turn on so...
It’s natural for children to compare themselves to other children, so it is important to teach them that everyone is different and that there are many wonderful ways to be special. In fact, giving children the confidence to be themselves is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to their child. You can do this by teaching children...
A great way to teach children about Martin Luther King is to read them books about him. When choosing a book, be sure to read through it carefully to ensure that the story is age-appropriate for you child. “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport is a wonderful introduction to who Martin Luther ...
One way to help children fix grammatical mistakes is to model the proper way to say what they have just said. For example, if your child says “I goed to school yesterday,” you can respond by saying “I went to school yesterday”. You can do this by simply repeating what your child has just said using the correct grammar and pronunciation...
Whether children should be allowed to choose what they buy with gift money is a personal choice and will differ for parents depending on their own values and beliefs. One alternative to allowing him to spend his gift money on anything he wants is to allow him to choose from a selection of acceptable options (e.g., any puzzle from this ...
There is a great book called Grace for President, by Kelly S. DiPucchio that addresses this very question. The story is about a little girl named Grace who wants to know “Where are the girls?” when she is shown pictures of the presidents by her teacher. After learning that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decid...
Children have a hard time separating feedback about their behavior or performance from criticism about themselves. (In fact, few adults have mastered that skill either.) When a child hears that work at school or chores at home are not completed to satisfaction, she may be hearing that she, herself, is not good enough. The best motivati...